Thank you for joining my blog. I would love to share some tea with you.

We share tea and talk tea at assisted living homes, private homes and community centers. We play Teago Bingo with prizes for winners. We are also doing mystery tea events.

If you would like more info on our tea tasting events, mystery teas or want to receive a free sample of tea please email tea4Jesus@gmail.com or call 763-370-2980. Love to hear from you!

Spend time being refreshed by God's Word with a cup of tea. Relax in a comfy chair that gets some afternoon sun. Reflect on the goodness of life.

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or
from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile. Wilfred T. Grenfell

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Ps 100:4

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings to you and your family. Have
a TEA- rrrific day.

Email me for a free sample of tea!

tea4Jesus@gmail.com

Trinitea4eternitea.yolasite.com

Traveling TEA With Jesus



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Apple Cinnamon herbal tea punch recipe

Fall recipes: Apple-cinnamon herbal tea punch recipe


Apples photo by xtacocorex
Apples and cinnamon are natural companions, each enhancing the flavor of the other. This hot punch contains apple cinnamon herbal tea with heated apple juice as a natural sweetener. The result is a beverage fit to warm children and adults on the chilliest of days or nights.
Serve this punch from a large slow cooker set on its lowest setting to keep it warm and use a ladle for serving. If you’re serving children, let the punch sit in the cups a bit to cool before handing them out.
This is a great punch for children’s Halloween parties. It has no caffeine and the apple juice makes it just sweet enough to be enjoyed by children. If your children like it sweeter, you can add more juice in proportion to the herbal tea. Apple juice also has many health benefits that make this punch healthier than sugary punches or soda.
Grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, gingerbread, pumpkin, pudding, dough dogs, roast chicken, and pork go well with this punch.
Apple-cinnamon herbal tea punch
Ingredients:
  • 6 bags Apple-cinnamon herbal tea
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • 1 quart boiling water
  • 1 quart unsweetened apple juice
  • Cinnamon sticks for garnish
Directions:
Brew the tea in a teapot with the water according to package instructions, most likely from 4 to 6 minutes. Set aside. In a 4-quart saucepan, heat apple juice until little bubbles start to form. If you like you can add a cinnamon stick before you heat it. Add the tea to the hot juice and stir to combine.
Place the punch in a slow cooker to stay warm. Place a cinnamon stick in each cup for garnish before you pour in the punch.
Enjoy this will your family on a cold evening or take it to a football game in a thermal jug


Continue reading on Examiner.com Fall recipes: Apple-cinnamon herbal tea punch recipe - National tea | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/tea-in-national/fall-recipes-apple-cinnamon-herbal-tea-punch-recipe#ixzz1YeL4Huw0

History of Tea

From about.com

The History of Tea - The Beginning
The legend of tea begins with Shen Nung, an early Chinese emperor who ruled over 5,000 years ago.
He was a skilled scientist and patron of the arts, and very conscious of his health. While he was boiling water one day, (he boiled water as a hygienic precaution) a gust of wind came by and blew some leaves from a nearby bush into his pot of water. Being that he was a scientist, he observed that the water turned a brownish color and that it must have meant something chemical happened to the water. He decided to try it and after finding it very satisfying, tea officially became a beverage. The history of tea was literally started by accident. You can read more in our recent article - Ancient Chinese Tea.

The History of Tea - The First Book


After spreading through the Chinese culture for centuries, the first book on tea was finally written in 800 A.D. During his mid-life, Lu Yu spent 5 years in seclusion and contemplated his life. As he tried to draw meaning out of it, he began to write down everything he observed, learned and practiced about the various methods of tea preparation and cultivation in ancient China. Thus the first book about tea, Ch'a Ching, was created. Today there are

Ch'a Ching

The History of Tea in Japan


Japan was first introduced to tea when the Buddhist priest Yeisei observed the incredible benefits of tea for religious meditation. Once tea was introduced in Japan, it spread like wildfire through the royal court, monasteries, and other sections of Japanese society. Yeisei became known as the "Father of Tea" in Japan. Tea became so popular in the Japanese culture that it became an art form, which led to the creation of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Lafcadio Hearn, an Irish-Greek journalist-historian was one of the very few foreigners to be granted Japanese citizenship during this era. He wrote that the Japenese Tea Ceremony requires years of experience and practice to graduate, and yet the whole idea consists of being able to make and pour a cup of tea in the most perfect, polite, graceful, and most charming manner possible.
Things weren't always so glamorous for tea in China however. The more popular this ceremony became, the more the idea of this original zen concept was lost. After time, the tea ceremony became corrupted with wealthy families having "tea tournaments" in which they would compete against each other for prizes for having named the correct type of tea blend.
Things only started to turn for the better when three Zen priests restored the original idea of tea to the Japanese culture. Their names were Ikkyu, Murata Shuko, and Sen-no Rikkyu. After decades of fighting to restore the tradition, they finally succeeded and the Japanese Tea Ceremony was restored to it's original idea.

History of Tea in Europe


By the time Europe began hearing rumors of tea in the early 1600's, they were just starting to become advanced in their navy. When tea landed in Europe, Rembrandt was only six years old and Elizabeth I was still alive. At this time, tea was very expensive, costing over $100 per pound, which made it a delicacy that was only available to the extremely wealthy. As the amount of tea which was imported increased, the price fell and it was now available to places like apothecaries and common food shops throughout Holland. However this didn't happen until 1675.
As consumption rose, the health benefits of tea began to become controversial between doctors and university authorities. This controversy lasted from 1635 to roughly 1657, and during this period France and Holland consumed the most tea.
This tea craze swept throughout Europe, and it became a common thing that people now had to drink. Tea sets were now coming out, and it was starting to be served in restaurants. People were now having "tea parties" outside their houses with a few guests.


History of Tea in America


The history of tea in America doesn't begin until 1650 or so, when the Dutch were trading with the western world. The first tea was brought to America by a colonist named Peter Stuyvesant. Tea was widely accepted in America, and it was drank more in the small colonies of America than throughout all of England combined.

England's History of Tea


The first batches of tea didn't reach England until about 1652-1654, due to the fact that they weren't trading in the Chinese or East Indian trading routes until then. When it hit England however, it spread rapidly and replaced ale as the national drink of England. As early as 1600, Elizabeth I founded the John Company in order to promote Asian trade. Now that tea was introduced to England, they finally had a leg to stand on. The John Company became the most powerful monopoly to ever exist in the world, and it's ultimate power was based on the importation of tea.

Afternoon Tea is Born


As tea importation rose radically throughout England, from 40,000 pounds in 1699 to 240,000 pounds in 1708, it was beginning to get through to all levels of society.
During this time, Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, began to invite friends over for an afternoon meal in the Belvoir Castle. The meal consisted of small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, sweets, and tea. This common practice was soon widely accepted and practiced throughout the country. The tea would be heated up and made in the kitchen, and brought out to the hosts and their guests to be drank. The purpose of these meetings was to relax and have good conversations.

Tea Affects More Parts of the Culture


As tea became more popular, it began to diffuse into different parts of European culture. They began to have different types of tea with different meals in the day, coffee shops began selling tea as well as coffee, and the wealthy began to create "tea gardens" in their yards for decoration and to enjoy their own tea.


History of Tea in Russia

Russia began their interest in tea as early as 1618, but since the cost was so high to get it imported, only the wealthy could attain it. They had to make a trip which was 11,000 miles long and took over sixteen months to complete, so getting tea wasn't the easiest task in the world. However, by the time 1796 came around and Catherine the Great died, importing tea was starting to become easier, prices dropped, and it became available to the middle class. The Russians tend to favor tea which is very strong and highly sweetened with sugar, honey, or jam.
Tea remains a powerful influence in Russian society today, and along with Vodka, is still the the national drink of Russia.

The History of Tea Starts To Get Rough In America


After the French and Indian War was completed, the colonists of America became very upset because the cost of the war was mostly put on them. Since they had to pay for the war, England began putting strict tax laws in the colonies. They put higher taxes on newspapers, tavern licenses, legal documents, marriage licenses, and docking papers. The colonists rebelled, which caused Parliament to put an even higher tax on everything as punishment.

Boston Tea Party Pictures

History of Tea - The Boston Tea Party


The final straw happened after this extra tax was put on them. The colonists rebelled again by openly purchasing large amounts of imported tea, which was mostly Dutch in origin. The John Company started to become deeply in debt, and eventually joined forces with the East India Company in order to recoup their losses from the tea. However, the colonists got wind of this plan and devised a plan of their own. The colonists began to openly convey at meetings to boycott the drinking of tea until they got their rights back, and on December 16 they threw hundreds of pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor. You can read more about this interesting bit of tea history in our recent article, Boston Tea Party.

History of Tea - The Opium Wars


Now that America was refusing to get tea from England, the John Company needed to find another way to recoup the money they were losing. They then turned to growing opium in China, for opium has an addictive nature and they figured the sales would be lifelong.
Chinese emperors obviously didn't want this, and tried their best to force distance between England and China. The Opium wars broke out because England wanted free rights to trade opium, and by 1842 they had enough military advantages to enable them to sell opium in China undisturbed until 1908.
Not wanting England to succeed like they were, America fought back once again. They built newer, faster ships which outpaced England's ships, and forced the English navy to update their fleet. Three gentlemen by the names of Stephen Girard, John Jacob, and Thomas Perkins were the millionaires who started this quest. Between the three of them they were able to fund critical loans to the American government to keep it afloat, gain the respect of China, and break the English tea monopoly that was corrupting the tea business.

The History of Tea - Iced Tea And Teabags Are Created

After this time, America began to grow more powerful in every way. By 1904, they were ready for the world to their their development at the St. Louis World's Fair. Trade exhibitors came from around the world to show off their product. One merchant named Richard Blechynden planned to give away free samples of his tea products, but a heat wave hit and nobody wanted to drink the hot tea. Not knowing what to do, he decided to dump ice in the tea, and "Iced Tea" was born. Iced tea became the hit of the fair from pure luck.
The history of tea was sealed when bagged tea was invented only four years after iced tea came out. This happened when Thomas Sullivan realized that the restaurants he sold his "wrapped tea" to were selling it in their restaurants still in the bag, to avoid a mess of tea leaves. Thus "tea bags" were invented.
There is a big difference between the tea bags you can get in a supermarket and high-quality tea bags you can get from a few select stores online. Read my page on why you need high-quality tea bags.

Tea Turns Social


Beginning in the late 1880's, fine hotels began to serve tea service in tea rooms and tea courts. Originally planned for conversations, Victorian ladies and their partners would meet for conversations while having a cup of tea. This became a sign of elegance in cities like New York and Boston.
By 1910 hotels around the country began to host "tea dances". These tea dances became a craze throughout the country, although widely shunned by older folks. These tea dances were noted for being a place where young girls could come to have some fun and possibly meet a man to begin courting.

The History Of Tea - Today


Today tea is more popular than ever, and is the second most consumed drink in the world, losing only to water. Scientific studies are coming out regularly which are showing the health benefits of tea, which perfectly fits the idea of people trying to live more healthy lives. Tea is no longer expensive to buy, and is considered by some to be not just a drink, but a part of their lives.

Fall tea and scone recipes

Your Apple Tea Recipe

'Tis the Season for Fall Tea
half of an apple, skin / seeds removed, diced
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. honey
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
dash nutmeg
1 cup boiling hot water
Combine ingredients in mug, add boiling water, mix top with whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg

Your Inspiration

Fall. Fall reminds me of pumpkins, falling leaves, sweaters, and a cup of warm hot tea. I love the foods of fall! My tea recipe in a combination of an abundance of fall like ingredients. It will be sure to keep you warm!

Advice

  • When you have your apples diced, muddle them in the bottom of your mug, it helps to blend the flavors more!

 

'Cinnamon Scones

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 12 scones

Ingredients:

  • 2 c. all purpose flour (For best results, sift or spoon the flour into the measuring cup.)
  • 1/3 c. granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter
  • 1 whisked egg
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 - 1/2 c. milk, buttermilk or half-and-half

Preparation:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt).
  3. Use a pastry cutter to cut in the butter. The mixture is done when it resembles coarse cornmeal.
  4. Add the whisked egg and vanilla extract. Do not stir yet.
  5. With minimal stirring, mix in just enough milk, buttermilk or half-and-half to make the dough stick together. It will be crumbly and there should still be a little bit of dry flour left in the mixing bowl.
  6. Turn the dough out on a heavily floured cutting board.
  7. Knead the dough slightly. When it is done, it should be easy to handle and smooth.
  8. Gently pat the dough to two 1–inch thick discs.
  9. Cut each disc into 6 pieces.
  10. Transfer the scones to a buttered or parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in preheated 400-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden. (Optional: Turn pan halfway through baking.)
  11. Cool on the baking sheet.

Strange Tea Facts

From website www.crazyfortea.com

Strange Tea Facts - From Weird to Unusual, find out some interesting facts about tea!

Facts About Tea


  • Until the nineteenth century, solid blocks of tea were used as money in Siberia!


  • The Irish drink more tea per head than nay nation in the world.


  • Tea was accidentally invented in 2737 BC when Chinese Emperor Shen Nung spotted some tea leaves blew into a pot of boiling water and produced a pleasing aroma.


  • By 1800 England alone was consuming 24 million pounds per annum of tea of every type from white and green to oolong and black, all of it organically grown and hand-made, much of it fit for Emperors and kings. Most tea consumed in England between 1650 and 1850 was green and oolong - not black!


  • From 1608, when tea first appeared in Europe, in Holland, until around 1850, China, with rare and inconsequential exceptions, was the sole source of all the tea drunk in the Western World.


  • The English East India company held a monopoly on all China tea exports to the British Isles and Americas for two hundred years.


  • More Strange Tea Facts....



  • Just as in 1608, China continues to recognise and exports six categories of tea, green, white, oolong, yellow, red and Puer.


  • Tin boxes were too expensive, so New York importer Thomas Sullivan looked for a cheaper way to send his tea samples to clients. Wrapping the tea in gauze "packets" seemed the perfect answer, but his customers were befuddled by the new "packaging." Instead of removing the tea, they plopped it, gauze and all, into boiling water. Without realizing it, Sullivan had created the tea bag!


  • Tibetans drink tea made of salt and rancid yak butter!


  • Green tea - a less processed version of the ubiquitous black tea, with far less caffeine and more healthful properties - has long been known for its immune system benefits and anti-oxidant powers. Now, US scientists say drinking green tea may also help to prevent tooth decay and bad breath. It appears that chemicals in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses, and it is possible that adding tea extracts to toothpaste and mouthwash could make them more effective. Microbiologist Milton Schiffenbauer, from Pace University in New York, says, "Our research shows tea extracts can destroy the organism that causes disease. If we can stimulate the immune system and at the same time destroy the organisms, then it makes sense to drink more [green] tea."


  • 1.42 million pounds of tea are consumed per day in the United States.


  • 5 out of 6 North Americans drink tea! (Whoa! What a tea fact! I would have never guessed!)It is the most popular and cheapest beverage, next to water, in the world.


  • An average of three billion cups of tea are consumed daily worldwide.

Free samples of tea

http://www.crazyfortea.com/freeteasamples.html

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Faith is not Blind

John 20:29
Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."

Many people seem inclined to consider faith a more or less blind system of belief while others just can't quite fall for it. It seems to hard to do, blindly believing without any evidence. The Danish philosopher Kierkegaard referred to the need for a "leap of faith" to enter into a realm of spirituality.
But thinking that faith is a hard, complicated concept that must be blindly accepted is faulty thinking, because viewing faith as "blind" totally misses the scriptural teaching of what faith is. When the Bible describes blindness, it is an image representing people who have chosen sin as a way of living. They walk in darkness . The plan of God is to call people out of the darkness. Faith cannot be blind, because faith is authored by he who leads us to the light.
The word faith means "trust." To trust God is not an act of blind, unreasonable belief, because God proves himself to be utterly trustworthy at all times. Christianity is not based on myths or made-up stories. It is based on the testimony of those who witnessed jaw-dropping evidence that God sent His Son Jesus, to this earth. Our faith is not blind. It is based on facts we can trust, facts that inspire faith. Marilyn Meberg(God at your Wits End)

Blueberry Cobbler

I found this recipe that I thought would be great with a cup of tea.

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 pints blueberries or other berries (4 1/2 cups)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease sides and bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons butter and dust with 3 tablespoons sugar. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together remaining butter and sugar; add eggs and whisk until light and fluffy. Add milk and whisk to combine. Whisk in flour, baking powder, lemon zest, and cinnamon until combined.
Place berries in prepared baking dish and top with batter. Bake until top is golden brown, 25-30 minutes.
Enjoy with your devotion and cup of tea!
Blessings!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

How He Love Us

http://sonvine.com/2011/07/04/david-crowder-band-how-he-loves-piano-and-vocal-cover/

Fill my cup, Lord


After reading a couple of devotions from this book along with a cup or two of tea I thought it would be a great book to pass along to my fellow tea drinkers.
Some bits of the devotion entitled A cup of Service. The Lord's blessings flow freely along with two important acts on my part.
Surrender and Serve. We need to surrender our lives to Jesus. We develop a taste of service only as we develop a taste of Jesus. We learn from him and find out what it is like to have our cup filled with His blessings. When we come to the Lord in prayer we are growing in compassion, understanding and willing to serve. True service is when we don't respond because of guilt or pressure but out of love and caring. We see the need and we act upon it.
Fill my cup, Lord
I hold it up to you with outstretched hands,
My heart parched and thirsty for your living water.
Fill my cup with your love, Lord.
Help me to feel your hands holding mine,
feel your arms around me, feel your love empowering me.
Fill me with quietness and encouragement and trust.
Help me to live for you when trials, difficulties, and storms hit me and those I love so deeply.
Help me not to give up when giving up seems easier.
Help me to trust you when I don't feel like trusting anymore.
When I know pain, fill my cup with prayer.
Teach me the secrets of service and surrender.
Fill my cup, Lord I lift it up to you.
Lift me up to do your will with love and sacrifice,
Never forgetting what you sacrificed for me Your Son, My Messiah, My Lord Jesus Christ.
Help me , Lord, to accept where I am now.
Help me to know I'm not stuck forever in my circumstances.
Help me remember that the windows do open and that fresh breezes do blow in and that living water forever flows and that those who ask receive.
I'm asking now, Lord.
I'm holding my cup in my hands, and I'm asking you to fill it ... with you.
Fill my cup with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
And when my cup springs a leak, as earthen vessels are prone to do, Then I'll just have to ask again, Trusting in your love To fill me again.... and thanking you! Amen

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Good Friends Sip Together Book


Such a cute book! Here is a sampling of the book.
Pekoe's Tea Blessing- Dear Lord,I thank you for your grace and for this lovely day. I thank you for each special friend- Lord, bless each one, I pray. And Lord, I ask You'd bless our time, and bless our sharing, too- Please bless our food and bless our tea-Bless all we say and do. Amen

Tea today

We had a wonderful time sharing tea with some women and men at Cornerstone Assisted Living. There were about 12 or so. They were all special. They really enjoyed the tea. We had a Bohemian Raspberry Green tea and a southern tea punch. I was blessed along with my daughter to be part of their day today. At the end of our tea a woman talked a bit after and told me she was so happy to hear us talk about Jesus and God. She said it was nice that we were not afraid to do that. I know God was speaking through her and wanted me to know don't be afraid to speak my Word and get into out to those who may not know me through tea. After each day I find it is all worth my time and preparing to possibly touch one to help reach them into His Kingdom. My sweet Fran said, "See you in Heaven someday." She said she was a Christian and loved the Lord.
My daughter and I had some great time together today sharing our love and tea with others today.
Have a blessed week and enjoy His word and tea!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Grandmother's Promise

A prayer for Grandparents to have with your tea. Blessings! A Grandparent’s Promise I promise to pray for you each single day. I’ll help you and love you in every way. I’ll care for you always, with all of my heart, forever and ever, right from the start. You’re special, you’re AWESOME, you’re one of a kind! Best of all, dear Grandchild, you are mine for all time! — Excerpted from Grandmother’s Book of Promises by Karen Hill

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Party for a shut-in

A special treat for someone who's feeling "blah", sweeten herbal tea with fruit preserves. 
Suggestions for tea sandwiches- cream cheese blended with orange marmalade,   salmon spread,  egg salad. 
Some traditional favorite teas for colds and sore throats are horehound, mint, lemon balm and sage.  For nausea or cramps, peppermint. For digestive calm, anise, fennel and lemon verbena.

Country Tea Party for September

SeHikers' Tea- Just as we're coming to terms with the inevitable approach of cold winter weather, September often offers us a surprise; the blue sky and soft warm air of Indian Summer.  Bring along iced tea and hot tea for your hike.
For iced tea on the trail, make your tea the day before and freeze in a plastic drink container overnight; it will defrost in your pack while you hike. 
Hot tea- ginger/fennel base.  Simmer 4-5 slices of fresh ginger and about 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds in water.  When it is very fragrant, strain out the spices.  Bring the flavored water to a boil and use that to brew your tea; use a strong blend like Irish Breakfast so the ginger doesn't overpower the taste of the tea.    
Gorp cookies- start with a basic recipe for oatmeal-raisin cookies; add to the dough any or all of these: sunflower seeds, M and M's, chopped nuts, dried coconut strips, chopped dates, chocolate chips, and peanut butter or butterscotch bits.  The more stuff you include, the gorpier the cookies.
Enjoy your September Hikers' Tea  

Country Tea Parties

From the book-  Did you know that Orange pekoe, is not a variety or a blend but a term that designates size of the tea leaf?
Tea leaves release their flavor in water- the hotter the water, the faster the tea steeps.  Brewing with boiling water takes 5 minutes , sun tea can take an hour, and refrigerator tea takes several hours. 
Remember green and white tea you do not use boiling water but about 175 degree water and steep for about 2-3 minutes.  If longer tea can become bitter.  Black tea you boil water and steep for 4-5 minutes.
When using a screw-together tea ball, fill it only halfway, loose tea expands severalfold when it steeps.
Store sugar cubes for tea in a jar with whole cloves or cinnamon sticks.  They will absorb the spicy fragrance.

For large tea parties, prepare a strong tea concentrate ahead of time; Use 4 teabags or 4 tsp. loose tea per one cup of boiling water; steep 2 minutes, then strain; leave at room temperature.  During the party keep a large kettle of water simmering on the stove.  For each serving, add 1/2 cup hot water to 1/8 cup concentrate.